How is súrmjólk made?
Surmjolk is Icelandic soured milk: thin, drinkable and quite acidic, and sold in Iceland in cartons like milk. We found no verified description of how it is made, so we give no recipe. Buttermilk, kefir or thinned plain yogurt can stand in for it.
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What is surmjolk?
Surmjolk is Icelandic soured milk. The Yogurt at Home page calls it yogurt made in the Icelandic way, with a rather liquid consistency compared with yogurt, and notes it is quite acidic. In Iceland it is sold in stores, packed like milk in a carton, and it comes in various flavors.
How is surmjolk made?
The page we opened does not describe the process, and we found no verified source for the exact milk, starter cultures or times, so we do not give a recipe. In general, soured milks are made when lactic acid bacteria ferment milk, turning some milk sugar into lactic acid, which gives the sour taste. That is general background, not a description of any specific Icelandic dairy.
Can you make it at home?
We did not find a reliable home recipe for plain surmjolk, so we do not give one. Do not simply leave milk out to sour. Spoiled milk is not the same as a cultured milk product, and raw milk can carry harmful germs, according to the CDC.
What can you use instead?
- Plain buttermilk, kefir or drinking yogurt as a drink or for baking.
- Plain yogurt thinned with a little milk.
These are general substitutes; flavor and thickness will differ.
How is it different from yogurt and skyr?
| Product | Texture |
|---|---|
| Surmjolk | Liquid, drinkable, quite acidic |
| Yogurt | Thicker and more coagulated, according to the source |
| Skyr | A separate Icelandic product, generally much thicker |
How do Icelanders eat it?
The source says it is usually served at breakfast with cereal, bread or cheese, and can also be served with meat or herring. Not everyone likes the sourness, and some people need time to get used to it.
Is it the same as sour milk?
The name surmjolk literally means sour milk in Icelandic. Do not assume you can recreate it by letting milk sour at home.
People also ask
What is surmjolk?
Icelandic soured milk: thin, drinkable and quite acidic, sold in cartons like milk.
Is surmjolk the same as skyr?
No. They are separate products; skyr is generally much thicker, while surmjolk is thin and drinkable.
What can I use instead of surmjolk?
Buttermilk, kefir or thinned plain yogurt are the closest easy swaps.
Sources
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